November 30, 2005: Since the unilateral Maoist truce began on September 2nd, the rebels have killed 19 people and kidnapped (for recruiting purposes), 4,013 people. Skirmishes with the rebels continue to occur daily, and the rebels will fire on military helicopters as well.
November 26, 2005: The king refuses to negotiate with the Maoists unless the rebels disarm. The Maoists refuse to negotiate with the king, only with an elected government. The king has scheduled national elections for February, but the political parties and Maoists refuse to participate because the king is sponsoring the vote.
November 25, 2005: There are several major political parties, but more importantly, there are about two dozen families that control most of Nepal's economy, and the political parties. The Royal Family is one of these clans, but the king promises reform of the feudal and corrupt traditions that most Nepalese oppose. The Maoists are led by younger members of the middle and upper classes, and want a more radical change (mass murder and a dictatorship). Most of the population wants peace and some progress, and the king is offering that, which is how the monarchy manages to hold its own against the political parties and Maoists.
November 24, 2005: China has delivered 4.2 million rounds of 7.62 mm rifle ammunition, 80,000 grenades and 12,000 AK-47 type assault rifles. India has threatened economic reprisals (like holding up traffic at the border crossings) because Nepal bought weapons from someone else. India expects Nepal to be subservient and only buy weapons from India.
